What You Can Learn From a Study Skills Course
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Why I had my daughter take a study skills course...and not mine! - Episode 051
Taking a study skills course is a really great way to develop your child’s studying habits so they are more efficient and organized. As an academic coach, I also happen to offer study skills classes for teens. However, schools offer a study skills course as well, and they can help teenagers transition smoothly into their new classes and subjects.
One of my daughters is actually starting middle school right now, so I understand your anxiety as a parent. And as an academic coach, I would definitely recommend a study skills course. But guess what?! My daughter didn’t want to take my course! Because even if you have years of training and experience, it will never be enough to thwart the universal law that your child will ever listen to you!
Over the summer, my daughter went to her school for a study skills class for teens, and I could see her develop a lot of new skills. I asked her if she regretted not taking my course. Her response was, “Mom, your students love you- but I think you are boring. I would rather spend time with someone else.”
Teaching Methods
Polishing your kid’s study skills can be something you can focus on at home and help your kid out. You need to be aware of your child’s strengths and weaknesses before you start teaching them. Being an academic coach who offers help with organization and study skills, I asked my daughter if she would like to be a part of my class, but she preferred to work with new people and develop her study skills. Don’t be taken aback if your kid wants to learn outside of the home as well and allow them to do so.
Sometimes when you are strong in a particular field and your kid is weak in that very area, then it works out very well. But other times, parents may get too frustrated and lose patience faster than usual. It is in these cases that you should allow your child to go to a study skills course outside of the home that will let them grow outside of your unintentionally critical eye.
I often hear parents and teachers say, “They learned these skills in school- they just didn’t listen.” My response is that I never listened to those lectures when I was a child either! If your child is set in their ways or rebellious, they may have viewed this information as yet another lecture and tuned it out. So before you pick a study skills course, make sure that the teacher really connects with your child and is someone who understands that all kids learn in a different way.
Why Are We in Need of Study Skills?
Study skills help teenagers in multiple ways! Kids shifting into middle school have a lot on their plate. They have more subjects to learn, different teachers to get habituated to and a whole new pattern where instead of teachers coming to them, they have to switch classes in under ten minutes.
Study skills class for teens help them build habits, build confidence, teach them how to tackle a situation, differentiate between the right and wrong ways of studying, increase productivity and efficiency and enhance their organizational skills as well.
In fact, if your kid is set with a study skills course, then the amount of time that they can save will also allow them to manage all of their work steadily without any stress. We all want a smooth and less stressful environment in school, and enhancing study skills can definitely help with that.
What You Can Do as Parents
The best way to improve their study skills at home is by reading certain books like, “Smart but Scattered.” This book series is something I would recommend to all parents. However, the real task is getting your kids interested enough to read it as well.
You can talk to your kids about the classes that they will be taking and go through the course material with them. Ask them what they think about the content and converse with them. If they don’t like something, then ask them what they would do to improve it and watch them build a system that works best for them.
But the important part is to have a really good relationship with your child. You need to keep patience and work things out together instead of losing your cool and flipping out on them. Make sure that they are comfortable around you.
In Closing
I will never say that taking a study skills course is a bad thing. However, it makes a difference if your child is invested in the course! That is why I require an application process for my workshops. It ensures that the child is on board with the process and ready to take ownership of their work.
I provide virtual workshops for students across the country and I am currently taking applications!
Sign up for the waitlist here!
*links included in this post may be affiliate links and provide a small amount of compensation*
Listen to the full episode of School Counselor Gone Rogue for additional tips and insight. You can subscribe to the show on iTunes, Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Googleplay, or Iheartradio or visit http://www.schoolcounselorgonerogue.com each week for the full episode (though let’s be honest, subscribing is so much easier!)
You can also sign up for the wait list for The Organized School Year at teampasch.com/theorganizedschoolyear. It’s an intensive workshop to help your child create and implement an organization system that meets their needs.
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Highlights
Why study skills are important
Books to help with study skills and organization
What to look for in a study skills course
Marni Pasch| Host of School Counselor Gone Rogue| Academic Coach | Team Pasch Academic Coaching
I work with students in grades 6th and higher, who struggle with academic confidence and motivation. I help them survive school with less stress by helping them create concrete goals, tackle procrastination and learn creative study techniques. I empower students to take charge of their education and reach their goals. I do this through individual or group coaching so students achieve success in life, school, career readiness and their social endeavors. I provided in person academic coaching in Orlando, FL, but work with students across the country through Zoom!
